RPO Wins Award for Adventurous Programming

June 02, 2006

Award from from American Society of Composers, Authors, and

New York, NY; June 2, 2006 — On Friday, June 2, 2006 the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will receive an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, given annually to honor orchestras whose programming indicates extraordinary efforts to expand the symphonic repertoire and develop and educate orchestra audiences. The Award will be given during the Awards Ceremony and Celebration of the American Symphony Orchestra League’s 61st National Conference, held this year in Los Angeles, California, May 30 – June 3.

Presented annually by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the American Symphony Orchestra League (League) at the League’s National Conference, the Awards for Adventurous Programming recognize American orchestras whose concert programs demonstrate a strong commitment to the works of contemporary American composers. Since the establishment of the awards in 1959, ASCAP and the League have presented more than $650,000 to American orchestras of all sizes. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is one of 25 American orchestras to receive an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming this year. A complete list of winners is available.

“The presentation of contemporary music is important in keeping America’s orchestras vital and fresh, and the League is proud to partner with ASCAP to present these distinguished awards,” remarked League President and CEO Henry Fogel.

"We at the RPO endeavor to program our concerts to include a broad range of great music, including music by living American composers" says RPO Music Director Christopher Seaman. "The fact that our efforts are being recognized by ASCAP with this Award for Adventurous Programming is a source of pride for us and for the Rochester community that we serve."

The Awards for Adventurous Programming are offered to American orchestras each year by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the American Symphony Orchestra League for concerts that challenge the audience, build the repertoire, and strengthen support for American composers in this country and abroad. The awards recognize orchestras of all sizes whose programming in the most recent concert season demonstrates a strong commitment to contemporary music.

Adjudication by an independent, anonymous jury is based not only on the number of contemporary works (written in the last 25 years) performed by each orchestra, but also on the variety and creativity of new-music programming during the season. The jury gives special attention to commissioned works and to world, United States, and local premieres. More than $650,000 has been awarded to orchestras since the awards were established in 1959.

In the category of Awards for Programming of Contemporary Music for Orchestras with Annual Operating Expenses $5.5 - $14.75 Million, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will be honored for presenting the following works during its 2005-06 season:

About the American Symphony Orchestra League
Founded in 1942, and chartered by Congress in 1962, the American Symphony Orchestra League provides leadership and service to America’s orchestras while communicating to the public the value and importance of orchestras and the music they perform. The League serves nearly 1,000 member symphony, chamber, youth, and collegiate orchestras of all sizes, Linking a national network of thousands of musicians, conductors, managers, board members, volunteers, staff members, and business partners, the League provides a wealth of services, information, and educational opportunities to its members. More information can be found at www.symphony.org.

A complete listing of the 2005-06 ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming is available.